United Way of Western Connecticut, in partnership with the Prospector Theater, will host a special screening of the HBO documentary “Paycheck to Paycheck: The Life and Times of Katrina Gilbert” on Tuesday night at the theater in Ridgefield.
A panel discussion focused on the challenges faced by individuals in the local community who work hard yet still struggle to make ends meet will follow the screening.
Last November, United Ways across Connecticut and in five other states released a study on the struggles faced by many working families, a population called ALICE ”“ Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The report said 35 percent of households in Connecticut are living paycheck to paycheck.
“This group earns too much to qualify for government support and many social service programs, yet finds it difficult to make ends meet every month,” United Way of Western Connecticut said in a statement advancing the movie.
“This often overlooked population is a part of every town in Connecticut,” the release said. “They are our friends, neighbors and co-workers. They might be nurses, day care workers, school bus drivers and mechanics in your community. They are people who we rely on every single day. When ALICE fails, the whole community suffers.”
Panelists include Al Almeida, command sergeant major, 94th Training Division, Danbury, who will speak about the veteran population; Ellen Bromley, director of social services for the city of Stamford, who will speak about the senior population; William R. Glass, deputy superintendent, Danbury Public Schools, who will speak about children and families; and Valerie Jensen, founder of the Prospector Theater, who will speak about the disabled population.
The Prospector Theater is at 25 Prospect St. The showing is 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information or to register, visit uwwesternct.org/paycheck-to-paycheck.
